Technology

AlfaSight 9000 Thermography

IR Thermography

(Camera method)

Ultrasound

Comp.Tomography (CT)

MRI

         X-Ray

(Mammography)

How it Works

Uses Infrared sensor. Temperature measurement window (germanium crystal) measures skin temperature: accuracy: +/- 0.1 degree C. Analysis software provides for documentation and data accumulation. Easy to train and use graphics and synthesis of body image according to functional physiology. Also utilization for treatment outcome monitoring.

Uses an infrared camera. Liquid crystals and IR cameras provide a color image of heat distribution that is converted into temperature values. Documentation is made with the images formed.

High frequency sound waves bounced off the tissue and collected as an echo to produce an image

Uses X-Ray. Creates a series of horizontal cross-sectional images of the body.

Uses magnetic field and radio frequency to produce cross-sectional, three-dimensional images from different angles inside the body.

Radiation transmission through tissue to produce an image. Suspicion can be seen with hyper-densities

Visualization Method

Functional imaging. Detects physiological change with specified location/organ involvement. Procedure time: 20 minutes

Functional imaging. Adjunct diagnostics, detects physiological changes. Procedure time: 20-30 minutes.

Structural imaging. Ability to locate the area of suspicious tissue. Procedure time: 20-45 min.

Structural Imaging. Ability to locate the area of suspicious tissue. Procedure time: 30-120 min.

Functional and structural imaging. Ability to locate the area of suspicious tissue. Procedure time: 15-45 min. Longer for detailed studies.

Structural Imaging. Ability to locate suspicious tissue. Procedure time: 10-20 minutes.

Invasivity/Risk

No radiation, non-invasive, harmless

No-radiation, non-invasive, harmless

No radiation. In most cases, non-invasive. Can be harmless. A gel is applied to the region to assist the transmission of sound waves

Iodine-based contrast infusion, different than MRI media, may be necessary to enhance image. Allergic reactions are rare but occur, toxicity possible.

No radiation. A dye-media infused often necessary. Allergic reactions possible but rare. Dye-contrast contains heavy metal found possibly toxic long term.

Exposure to radiation may predispose one to cancer.

Diagnostic Use

Earliest method of cancer detection known (breast). Adds to information regarding causes and coincident organ involvement in many disorders/diseases

Used to complement mammography

Not a screening procedure. Often used to investigate an area already detected by physical exam, mammography or other imaging method.

Not a screening procedure. Used to investigate an area already detected by other imaging or tests.

Can be used as a screening procedure, can replace mammography.

Can detect cancers earlier than physical examination.

Diagnostic Error

Subjectivity/Objectivity

Mathematical Disease Signature Recognition removes subjectivity and decreases error

Subjectivity causes higher error and discrepancy between thermographers

Subjectivity dependent on training and technician/

procedure

Radiologist-dependent

Radiologist-dependent

Radiologist-dependent

Technology

AlfaSight IR₂-T Thermography

IR Thermography

(Camera method)

Ultrasound

Comp.Tomography (CT)

MRI

         X-Ray

(Mammography)

Goal of Technology with ‘Evidence’

Detects asymptomatic (hidden factor) patterns that have lead to disorder, either before or coincident. Can be repeated to monitor protocol/treatment efficacy, and long term, monitor breast and overall health as an ongoing strategy in prevention

Cancers are not detected before a tumor appears (area still appears normal on infrared). Can be used as often as indicated to trace a problem, observe the effectiveness of treatment, or monitor the temperature of the breast (or region) over time

Detects only when growth/abnormality is 1-2 cm.

Detects only when growth/abnormality is 1-2 cm.

Detects only when growth/abnormality is 1-2 cm.

Detects only when growth/abnormality is 1-2 cm.

Diagnostic Ability/Limitations

Findings increase suspicion category. Cannot directly diagnose. Defines recognizable patterns of disease and specifies abnormalities of the stress-response (regulation capacity), often before a disease manifests or becomes clinically overt.

Findings increase suspicion. Cannot diagnose cancer. Used to diagnose the manifestation of a disease.

Findings increase suspicion. Cannot diagnose cancer.

Findings increase suspicion. Cannot diagnose cancer. Used to diagnose disease or the manifestation of disease.

Findings increase suspicion. Cannot diagnose cancer but resolution high.

Findings increase suspicion. Cannot diagnose cancer.

Referrent Clinical Confirmation necessary?

Biopsy, other imaging or clinical laboratory testing is necessary for clinical decision making, but precision-guidance for choices in follow-on tests are then made streamlined

Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue area is cancerous

Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue region is cancerous

Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue is cancerous

Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue area is cancerous.

Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue is cancerous

Accuracy (Positive)

Can detect breast and other pathologies up to 5 years before a tumor may be identified by other methods. Increases the certainty of diagnosis by quantifying and qualifying the cutaneo-visceral reflex reflection of tissue abnormality. Can detect fast-growing aggressive tumors. A positive identification of abnormal regulation response has been determined to predict breast disease as the highest accuracy amongst other imaging methods. INFORMATIONAL RESOLUTION provides objective data only.

Due to the nature of infrared imaging, precancerous and cancerous tumors as deep as the chest wall can be detected. However, most IR Cameras are not intended for human use and are not properly calibrated to the human organism.

Ability to detect some cancers missed by mammography. Good at distinguishing solid masses from fluid-filled cysts

Provides accurate images in the location and size of a tumor.

Provides accurate images in the locations and size of a tumor.

Can detect tumors in the pre-invasive stage in mainly slow-growing cancers.

Technology

AlfaSight IR₂-T Thermography

IR Thermography

(Camera method)

Ultrasound

Comp.Tomography (CT)

MRI

         X-Ray

(Mammography)

Accuracy (Negative)

May miss certain tumors in the abdomen or pelvis.

May not detect some slow-growing, non-aggressive cancers. Many false positives or borderline statements create patient panic. Difficult to discern.

Many cancers are not visible and in some cases, ultrasound is not able to detect whether a mass is cancerous

Motion lessens the resolution/quality of the image. Metal objects may block views.

Cannot distinguish between cancer and benign breast disease. Better than CT for viewing soft tissue.

Cannot detect exponentially fast growing tumors in the pre-invasive stages. In most women, the medial upper triangle, peripheral areas next to the chest wall, and the inflammatory sulcus cannot be visualized

Region(s) Visualized

All areas visualized

All areas visualized

All areas visualized

All areas visualized

All areas visualized

All areas visualized

Sensitivity

Average 90% sensitivity (10% of cancers missed) in all age groups. Of the missed cancers, majority are slow-growing and poorly invasive.

Measures temperature and heat radiation. Resulting thermograms have to be interpreted subjectively. May be sensitive to non-tumorous vascular nuances and provide inaccurate assessment.

Average 83% sensitivity (17% of all cancers missed, all age groups)

Avg. 63% (37% of all cancers missed) in all age groups.

Avg. 90% sensitivity (10% of all cancers missed) in all age groups.

Average 80% sensitivity (20% cancers missed) in women over age 50. Sensitivity drops to 60% in women under age 50

Sensitivity Interferences

Poor control of room temperature (cold or warm), drug suppressions or other prior patient activities affecting autonomic regulation.

Average 90% sensitivity (10% cancers missed) in all age groups

None.

Pregnancy, inability to lie still and metal objects may prevent a person from having a CT scan

Some surgical implants, metal surgical clips or implants/plates or a pacemaker prevents a patient from having test.

Hormone use decreases sensitivity

Specificity

Average 90% specificity (10% false-positives) due to thermography’s ability to act as an early-warning signal.

Average 90% specificity (10% false positives)

Avg. 66% specificity (34% false positives)

Avg. 96% specificity (4% false positives)

Avg. 88% specificity (12% false-positives)

Avg. 75% Specificity (25% false positives). 85% of all mammography initiated biopsies are negative

Specificity Interferences

Poor control of room temperature (cold or warm), drug suppressions or other prior patient activities affecting autonomic regulation.

none

none

Motion lessens quality of the image.

none

Large, dense and fibrocystic breasts cause reading difficulties